Homosexuality

One study says the term most associated with Christian is “anti-gay.” But the culture war often obscures how, within actual Christian communities, discussion on homosexuality is often personal, nuanced, and difficult. What does it mean to be “gay”? How should we interact with friends, family members, and neighbors who experience same-sex attraction, or who are in same-sex relationships? Does the church have more to say to homosexuals than “don’t act on your attractions”?

It should not matter that the investigation found no evidence that Mr. Cochran had mistreated gays or lesbians. His position as a high-level public servant makes his remarks especially problematic, and requires that he be held to a different standard.

Allan Edwards is the pastor of Kiski Valley Presbyterian Church in western Pennsylvania, a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America. He's attracted to men, but considers acting on that attraction a sin.